OUR INITIAL disappointment at the crass commercialism of dubbing the Giants' field of dreams "Pacific Bell Park" has yielded to a pragmatic acknowledgment that the $50 million deal would be impossible to turn down merely for want of a more traditional or euphonious name.

But for many Bay Area sports fans still choking on the awkwardly renamed 3Com Park at Candlestick Point, it is hard to accept the notion of dedicating the planned, red brick waterfront ballpark in honor of the telecommunications giant instead of, say, a local hero, landmark, or the team itself.

Instead, San Francisco will become firmly ensconced in the ever-burgeoning ranks of cities whose stadia, parks, domes and arenas bear corporate monikers like the Arco Arena in Sacramento, the United Center in Chicago, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis and Los Angeles' Great Western Forum, to name but a few.

Yet even the staunchest traditionalists must realize that if the new park is to be constructed at San Francisco's China Basin without taxpayer financing, the Giants need a big-money backer to share the $255 million cost. Considering all the cash, technology and expertise that Pac Bell brings to the table, the Giants could not have found a better partner.

The 24-year deal includes a promise by Pac Bell to develop a "technology pavilion" at the park, which may include interactive baseball displays, a museum, virtual reality games, a year-round children's learning center, long-distance phone services, restaurant and tourist information, as well as an executive conference center and meeting rooms.

"This alliance will allow the Giants to build the crown jewel of all major league ballparks," said Giants president Peter Magowan. "Baseball fans will have the best of both worlds -- the feel and atmosphere of an old-time ballpark with modern conveniences at their finger tips."

Pac Bell Park. Get used to the name. It will sound just fine by opening day in April 2000, if all goes well.